In his remarks, Secretary Chertoff discussed the initial recommendations and changes that will be implemented as a result of DHS’s Second Stage Review (2SR). Secretary Chertoff initiated 2SR in March to review DHS functional areas in order to ensure that the Department is organized in the most effective manner possible to carry out our collective homeland security mission. Secretary Chertoff announced a six-point agenda for the future of the Department:

• Increase overall preparedness particularly for catastrophic events
• Create better systems to move people and goods more securely
• Strengthen border security and reforming immigration processes
• Enhance information sharing with our partners, particularly with state, local, tribal, and private sector leadership
• Improve financial, human resource, procurement and information technology management systems
• Realign the DHS organization to maximize mission performance.

Details of the new policy initiatives will be announced in the coming weeks and months. In addition, structural changes to the Department in the areas of policy, intelligence, operations and preparedness will be made. Secretary Chertoff also announced that DHS will begin implementing a 10-fingerprint standard for foreign visitors and will eliminate the 30-minute rule for Washington, DC-bound flights.

I applaud the Secretary’s decision to streamline and flatten the organizational structure of DHS, enabling us to be even more effective in protecting our homeland

Robert C. Bonner
Commissioner